By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Superior Court has scheduled a jury trial for two Palauan Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting trainees charged in connection with the death of Alvin Remamba, who died Nov. 20 from brain injuries after being punched outside Relox Bar in Garapan.
Jeremy Guillermin, 29, and Aikman Bodobang Byron, 27, are set to face trial on May 18, 2026, at 9 a.m. on Saipan. The Office of the Attorney General has included Byron in the information against Guillermin, consolidating the case against both defendants.
Guillermin is charged with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, and obstructing justice. Byron is charged with accessory after the fact and obstructing justice.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho issued the trial schedule Monday after Byron waived his preliminary hearing. A pretrial conference is set for April 1, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig entered an appearance for Byron, who, prosecutors allege, opened the door of a police vehicle, allowing Guillermin to flee on the night of Nov. 16. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators also showed Byron and Guillermin speaking with Remamba outside Relox Bar, where Guillermin appeared to confront and push the victim. Byron was terminated from the ARFF program following the incident.
Police Officer Koji Taisacan testified that Remamba flagged him down on Nov. 16 outside Relox Bar, reporting that Guillermin was trying to fight him. Taisacan said he saw Guillermin punch Remamba in the face, causing him to fall backward and hit his head on the pavement. Remamba was hospitalized and died four days later from brain bleed and swelling.
Detective Myron Laniyo told the court that Guillermin claimed Remamba had pushed him several times and was the one asking for a fight. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from Relox Bar and the adjacent Safe House bar showing interactions among Guillermin, Byron, and the victim.
Judge Camacho previously denied Guillermin’s request to be released to a third-party custodian, citing the defendant’s lack of local ties and his escape on the night of his arrest. Guillermin was later found at his apartment in San Antonio, still in handcuffs, barefoot, and with sand on his clothes.
Both defendants were undergoing ARFF training on Saipan at the time of the incident. Guillermin’s attorney, Brien Sers San Nicolas, has filed a motion to reconsider the denial of his client’s bail modification request.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with jury selection beginning May 18, 2026.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
